There is lots of information on this page – choose below to see items specific to Visitors or Artists
What is Holmfirth Artweek?
Holmfirth Artweek is an annual open art exhibition, showing and selling the work of local and national artists to raise money for local and national charities. A 20% commission is taken off all works sold and donated to the charities (you can donate a higher percentage, if you prefer).
Where is Holmfirth Artweek?
The main exhibition for Holmfirth Artweek takes place in Holmfirth Civic Hall.
This is a 5 minute walk from Holmfirth bus station, where there are bus services from Huddersfield, Wakefield and Penistone.
The nearest parking is at Crown Bottom car park (next to the Co-op), HD9 3HW.
Please note all car parks in Holmfirth can get very busy during Artweek, so we would recommend using public transport or car sharing when possible.
Coach parking is available at Sands (HD9 3JL).
How much is entry to Artweek?
Tickets for Artweek cost £2.50 each and can be bought on the door at the Civic Hall. Your ticket will gain you entry to the main exhibition as many times as you wish throughout the week (Fringe events are free).
What will I find at Holmfirth Artweek?
The main exhibition is held over 3 floors of Holmfirth Civic Hall. On the stage of the 1st floor there is a demonstration area, where you will find different artists throughout the week. On the stage of the 2nd floor there is a market area with cards, prints and other small items made by artists in the main exhibition, available for immediate purchase. On the top floor is the featured artist/s.
There is a small café selling drinks, bacon butties, light lunches and homemade cakes, situated on the ground floor near the entrance.
Who can go to the Preview night?
The Preview is on Saturday evening (the day before Artweek opens to the public), and is an exclusive event for Friends of Artweek. Friends of Artweek receive 2 tickets for the Saturday Preview evening, allowing you to browse at your leisure with a free glass of wine, and giving you the exclusive opportunity to purchase artworks before the exhibition opens to the public on Sunday. The tickets are also valid throughout the week for the exhibition.
To become a Friend contact friends@holmfirthartweek.org.uk
Is there disabled access?
There is limited disabled access at the Civic Hall. There is a ramp to the entrance and a lift to each of the 3 floors, the market stage area also has a small lift. Unfortunately we do not have disabled access to the demonstrators stage.
Can I bring my dog to Artweek?
Dogs are not allowed into the Civic Hall, other than assistance dogs.
How do I buy some art?
If you like something in the exhibition and want to buy it, note the catalogue number and bay number of where it is and go to the sales desk in the foyer of the Civic Hall. Tell them what you want and where it is. You will pay (cards accepted) and be given a receipt, which you need to bring back with you on the final Saturday, when you come to collect your purchase, between 5-9pm. You cannot take anything away from the main exhibition before this time. A red dot will be placed on your piece to indicate it is sold.
What is the Fringe?
During the week of Artweek, a number of venues around Holmfirth and the surrounding areas also have exhibitions of local artists, these venues make up the Fringe. As with the rest of the exhibition, at least 20% of all sales from the Fringe are donated to our chosen charity partners. A list of these venues and their opening times will be available on the website and in a guide available from the main exhibition or at Fringe venues.
Who can apply?
Holmfirth Artweek is open to all artists, amateur and professional. Although there is no selection process for the public entries, space is limited, so it is first come, first served, with applications closing once the limit has been reached.
I live somewhere far away, can I apply?
As long as you can get your work to us on taking in day (the Sunday before Artweek) and collect any unsold work on the final Saturday (between 5pm and 9pm) we don’t mind where you’re from.
How do I apply?
To apply for Holmfirth Artweek please complete the entry form available on the website from the 1st April.
It costs £20 to apply, and each public artist can enter 2 pieces into the main exhibition.
What kind of work can I put in?
We accept all kinds of 2D and 3D artwork (2D works must be ready to hang). These must be original works and not have been shown at a previous Artweek. Everything in the main exhibition must be for sale, minimum price £30.
Where do I bring my work?
Work is to be delivered to Holmfirth Civic Hall on the Sunday before opening, 2-6pm. When you arrive at the main entrance on taking in day, you will be checked in, you will have to go to the side room so we can check your work is presented, priced and labelled correctly, and then you will take your work to the curator, who will tell you a bay letter or general area to leave your pieces in. Work may not stay in this initial area, so don’t worry if you can’t find it there once the exhibition is open!
Please be aware there are a lot of artists bringing their work in, so there can be long queues (especially when work isn’t labelled correctly).
If you have work for the market, then you also bring it at this time, going upstairs to the stage on the 2nd floor and leaving it with the market volunteers (see market section).
How do I label work?
All work should be labelled with your name, the catalogue number (which you will be given when you are told you have been accepted), title and price of the piece – on the back for 2D work and on the base for 3D work. 2D work should also have a second label with all this information which is tied onto the back on a string long enough to hang over the front. This is to help us when hanging the works.
All 2D work must be ready to hang straight onto the wall/panels.
Jewellers should leave containers suitable for sold items.
What is the market?
The market is an area where the artists exhibiting in the main exhibition can sell prints, cards and small pieces, which can be bought immediately. As with the rest of Artweek, 20% of all sales will go to our charities.
How do I label work for the market?
Items for the market must all be individually labelled with your catalogue number and the price. All items must be a minimum of £1 and all prices must be in whole pounds. If you would like to offer a special price on multiple purchases, such as 3 for £5, then this must also be written on each item individually. Please also include a stock list of the items you have brought.
If you have a display for your items then please feel free to bring it, we’re always tight on space in the market so anything which can show more items in a small space is welcome, but please make sure you also put your name and till number on your display so we know who to return it to at the end (we can’t guarantee to use it, as space does get very tight, but we will try).
Card stands and print browsers may have multiple artists work put in them
What do I do when Artweek is over?
If you visit Artweek and notice your work has a red dot on it, this means it has sold! If all your works have sold, you don’t have to do anything at the end of Artweek, but if you have some unsold work left in the main exhibition or market then you will need to pick this up on the final Saturday between 5pm and 9pm.
You will be able to collect any unsold work from the area it was displayed.
How do I get paid?
You will be paid by direct bank transfer in the weeks following Artweek.
How can I exhibit in the Fringe?
To exhibit at the Fringe you must talk directly with a venue around the Holmfirth area that is interested in taking part. There can be a number of artists in each venue, depending on space, and each venue must pay £50 to cover promotion costs (along with 20% of any sales to charities). Additional details such as opening times, preview evenings and any venue commission should be decided between you and the venue.
The Fringe is organised before the main exhibition, so applications need to be in by the end of March. Anyone is welcome to exhibit in the Fringe, whether you want to apply for the main exhibition or not.
If you are unable to find a venue, or are a venue wanting to take part without any artists, then you can contact fringe@holmfirthartweek.org.uk who will try to match you up.
Can I help with the exhibition?
Artweek is run completely by volunteers, so everything you see being done, you could help with! Including helping in the café, collecting tickets on the door, stewarding, sales desk, putting up and taking down the display boards, etc. If you would like to be involved, please email us at volunteers@holmfirthartweek.org.uk